Does anyone have any recommendations for more creative/flexible mortgage lenders?

Depending on your flexibility on location you can find a place that will cash flow (at least once you move out of your owner-occupied unit).  

I have a lot of flexibility in how I can file. 

The fully-remote W-2 adds another dimension to REI flexibility.

That should not create a taxable event.another option that keeps more flexibility for you is to stay Tenants in common and form a mm LLC that has a contract to manage the property - run it, maintain it, collect rents and distribute profits to the members (the same two people.But keeping the property held in tenants in common you retain the ability to later sell and each of you go your separate ways in 1031s. 

@Carlos Ptriawan, great point regarding the median incomes in Miami; however, keep in mind that remote working is giving people with larger pockets (from other major US cities) the flexibility to work wherever they want to. 

Gunite obviously gives the most flexibility as far as design.

But setting toilets, connecting flexible water lines and even installing shut off valves, if not there, is fairly simple.I also hate drywall, and it is definitely an art.  

It could take away some flexibility and force you to sell or get new financing sooner than you may want.

Taking a flexible approach has worked out very well for me personally.